# C_2007276EN.01000901.xml

| 17.11.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 276/9 |
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17.11.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 276/9

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4939 — Uberior/L&R/Versailles Holdco)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 276/08)

| 1. | On 8 November 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Uberior Integrated Ltd (‘Uberior’, UK), controlled by The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, itself part of HBOS PLC group, UK and London & Regional Investment Holdings Ltd (‘L&R’, UK) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Versailles Holdco Ltd (‘Versailles Holdco’, UK) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 8 November 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Uberior Integrated Ltd (‘Uberior’, UK), controlled by The Governor and Company of the Bank of Scotland, itself part of HBOS PLC group, UK and London & Regional Investment Holdings Ltd (‘L&R’, UK) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Versailles Holdco Ltd (‘Versailles Holdco’, UK) by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Uberior: equity investments, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for Uberior: equity investments,

| — | for HBOS: banking services in the UK and elsewhere, |
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for HBOS: banking services in the UK and elsewhere,

| — | for L&R: real estate investment and development, based in the UK but active elsewhere in Europe, |
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for L&R: real estate investment and development, based in the UK but active elsewhere in Europe,

| — | for Versailles Holdco: health and fitness clubs in the UK, Spain, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands. |
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for Versailles Holdco: health and fitness clubs in the UK, Spain, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4939 — Uberior/L&R/Versailles Holdco to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4939 — Uberior/L&R/Versailles Holdco to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005 p. 32.

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